Snuffing Out Boney! - George Cruikshank

A satirical 1814 etching by George Cruikshank depicting a Cossack soldier extinguishing a candle topped with the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Published on 1 May 1814 by Thomas Tegg, this etching by George Cruikshank captures the intense political climate of the Napoleonic Wars. The print depicts a Cossack soldier, representing the Russian forces, in the act of extinguishing a candle. The candle itself is topped with the diminutive figure of Napoleon Bonaparte, referred to by the derogatory nickname Boney. The visual metaphor is clear: the Cossack is snuffing out the French Emperor as if he were a mere flame, symbolising the decline of Napoleon's power following the disastrous French invasion of Russia.

Cruikshank employs the exaggerated features and expressive gestures common to the Regency-era caricature tradition. The Cossack is shown with a wild, gleeful expression, his oversized fur hat and traditional attire contrasting with the tiny, helpless figure of the Emperor. In the background, a framed picture on the wall repeats the scene, showing the Cossack holding a candle snuffer over the tiny Napoleon, reinforcing the theme of inevitable defeat. The use of hand-applied colour adds a layer of immediacy to the print, which was designed for mass consumption and public display in print shop windows.

This work is a prime example of the propaganda produced during the period to bolster British morale and mock the French leadership. Cruikshank, a prolific illustrator and caricaturist, was well-known for his sharp wit and ability to distill complex geopolitical events into accessible, often humorous, visual narratives. The etching reflects the public sentiment in Britain at the time, where the defeat of Napoleon was viewed with both relief and celebratory derision. The print remains a valuable historical document, offering insight into the visual language of 19th-century political discourse and the role of the satirical press in shaping public opinion during times of conflict.